Samsung, which was desperate for Uta, invested 4.1 billion won instead of 2.6 billion won to bring in Choi Hyung-woo, the final version of the romantic baseball league
Dec 04, 2025
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Choi Hyung-woo's transfer drama, which had a lot of talk and a lot of troubles, ended. On the 3rd, Choi Hyung-woo signed an FA contract with the Samsung Lions on the condition of up to 2.6 billion won for two years, which could be the last time in his career.
It was a hot issue. It was a problem because the form of the player who will turn 43 next year did not deteriorate. The original Kia Tigers stuck to their one-plus-one-year contract. In fact, the total amount was much higher than Samsung's 2.6 billion won. +It is known that the contents of the one-year option are not too difficult. It was actually a two-year contract as long as he played healthy, but from the player's point of view, it could be accepted as distrusting him. In reality, it is also true that players prefer safe contracts. Therefore, Samsung's two-year guarantee contract may have been dragged.
Money is money, but it was Choi Hyung-woo's trip to Samsung, which added to the possibility of winning next season immediately and the justification for returning to the debut team that he was attached to and finishing his career.
Samsung, which had two successful seasons by failing to advance to the Korean Series last year and to the Korean Series this year, was at the core of its powerful performance. It's actually strong, but I don't want to imagine it from the other team's point of view if a batter with a record of nearly 100 RBIs is added to the 30 home runs. Choi Hyung-woo hit 24 home runs this year, and if Daegu Samsung Lions Park is used as a home, it may not be too difficult to add six home runs.
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On top of that, Choi Hyung-woo is the designated hitter. Playing in defense is practically difficult. Samsung didn't even need a designated hitter agent much. When Choi Hyung-woo comes, Koo Ja-wook has to play defense almost full-time, but in recent years, it has become difficult to solve the homework of reducing Koo Ja-wook's defensive burden due to leg injury issues. You can't even let one of them rest.
So why did Samsung pursue recruiting Choi Hyung-woo. The ransom is KRW 2.6 billion, and the compensation paid to KIA is KRW 1.5 billion. It pays a total of 4.1 billion won for two years to a 43-year-old hitter.
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However, professional sports do not consist solely of performance. Fanship and story are also important. Perhaps what Samsung was aiming for was to give the team and fans something more than their performance. First of all, the atmosphere of next season's showdown between Samsung and KIA will inevitably change. KIA will be intimidated by Choi Hyung-woo's symbolism, and Samsung will be on the rise. It is a factor that can have a big impact on the economy.
Samsung's general manager Lee Jong-yeol received tremendous support, reviving the cheering song 'El Dorado' that Samsung fans wanted so much. The recruitment of Choi Hyung-woo may also be an extension of that. These days, fans are immersed in the team, the players, and the story they create, regardless of simple wins and losses. Of course, it would be the culmination of baseball.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
